Happy, Holy Mama

We're halfway through summer, and many Catholic homeschool mamas are feeling that tug to start planning for the new school year, or at least start thinking about it. 

Whether you're knee-deep in organizing your curriculum or still trying to enjoy summer break, I want to help you avoid some of the biggest pitfalls I see moms fall into when planning their homeschool schedule.

This week, I’m talk...

Our family just moved across the country. Nine of us packed into one vehicle for 3,000 miles over eight days.

All to follow God’s call to a brand-new place, without a job lined up, without local family, and without all the answers.

It’s still fresh, still unfolding, and honestly, still a little messy.

But I'm brave and sharing my first reflections on our trip and the move with you now, in the thick of unpacking boxe...

Have you ever struggled with feeling selfish when you try to set boundaries with your kids?

Or have you wondered how to respond more peacefully in challenging moments with your kids and wish you had better boundaries already in place?

If so, you are not alone! 

Creating healthy boundaries is one of the most popular skills I teach, because they are crucial for maintaining the peace...

One of the most common struggles Catholic homeschool moms face is trying to pray in the middle of a noisy, messy, and busy life. 

Whether it’s the audible noise of your kids or the visual noise of clutter, it can feel downright impossible to pray, or focus on anything else, when your sensory systems are on overload. 

But here’s the truth: the noise doesn't control you. You are in control of yo...

Do you worry about your kid’s lack of motivation?

Have a rambunctious teenager who has passions, but no goals?

Or worry that they won’t end up where they should, based on their current trajectory? 

You just want to make the right decisions to help them have their best possible future.

It would be nice if you could shortcut some of the hardship and learning curves you may have had to face on your journey,...

We have big hopes for the summer, like to organize and declutter the spaces in our home, put away this year’s homeschool supplies and get ready for next year, and maybe relax and enjoy our kids more!

Unfortunately, if that’s not happening yet, then you might already be feeling the summer overwhelm start to creep in.

And without the structure of school, maybe you’ve been finding yourself yellin...

Ever wonder why asking for what you want feels so risky and vulnerable? 

It’s not the request itself that’s hard, it’s what you’re telling yourself the other person is going to think about you because of that request, that keeps you from even trying.

In today’s podcast episode, I’m bringing back an MVP (Most Valuable Podcast) where I’m going to be talking about those sneaky thoughts that feel ...

You’ve heard that communication is essential for a healthy marriage, but it’s also absolutely essential for a healthy family.

In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the six communication rules we use in the Brown family to help reduce misunderstandings, strengthen emotional connection, and stop wasting precious time and energy on hurt feelings. 

These rules have helped us build trust, kee...

If Mother’s Day felt a little off for you this year, you’re not alone. I’ve had years where that day brought more sadness than celebration, and the more I talk with other Catholic moms, the more I realize how common that is.

In this episode, I’m sharing some of the lies that sneak in and steal our joy, especially around Mother’s Day, and what I’ve learned to believe instead. Things like: You are loved. You...

It’s that time of year again: you're picking out next year’s curriculum while also trying to survive the end of this one!

Today I’m walking you through how to make curriculum decisions without all the second guessing and overwhelm. 

We’ll talk about why how you talk to yourself about decision making matters way more than you think.

I’ll share with you how you can shift your mindse...

As we pack our bags and head off to Rome with our oldest two sons, I’m reflecting, again, on how quickly plans can change. 

Just last week, we learned about the passing of Pope Francis, and in a moment, everything about our trip shifted.

My old instinct would have been to get worried, disheartened, and feel inconvenienced. 

I would have tried to whiteknuckle my way through what God was willing for us, whi...

As our family embarks on a massive cross-country move and prepares to graduate our oldest son, I’ve been reflecting on the spiritual growth that comes from embracing God’s will in the thick of life’s chaos, and the sacred power of the present moment.

Even when it's hard and messy.

In today's podcast episode, I share the difference between our last big move (cue toddler, puppy, homeschooling, a...

In Happy, Holy Mama this week we are diving into the concept of becoming happier through learning how to suffer well.

And when I was thinking about what I wanted to share on the podcast to support my students in that process, I couldn’t stop thinking about an episode I released last year for the 20th anniversary of my first husband’s passing.

I had already experienced quite a bit of suffering ...

Where do you draw the line between what’s your job and what is your child’s responsibility?

That line gets blurred when you’re a (normal) mom who is concerned about your child’s growth, education, emotional maturing, spiritual development, and preparation for the future.

It’s so much!

Unfortunately,  if that worry leads you to hyperfocusing, micromanaging, and/or stewing about the...

Are any of your relationships feeling challenging right now? 

Maybe a relationship with one (or more) of your children is feeling particularly strained.

Or maybe you and your husband aren’t quite on the same page, and you can see the impact that’s having on the rest of interactions with other people.

Or, perhaps, you get so mad at yourself that it can be hard to know how to be aro...

I spent so many years of my motherhood focused on changing other people’s behavior that at one point I looked at myself in the mirror and didn’t recognize the woman looking back at me.

Who was this person who felt out of control, unhappy, and stuck?

How on earth was I supposed to change myself when it seemed like the whole world, especially my children, were out to thwart my best efforts?

Do you ever struggle with feeling behind?

Like you’re not making enough, or any progress, toward your goals?

Whether it’s feeling behind in your Lenten goals or homeschooling goals, this thought process runs rampant during this time of year.

And it never ever helps you do better, but it absolutely wrecks your confidence, and perpetuates a cycle of second guessing.

So,...

I consider all mothers to be experts in their field of study. Whether that is feeding an army of people, changing diapers, or knowing the fastest route to basketball practice, you have unique expertise.

I totally understand that you might not feel like an expert, especially when it comes to certain childrens’ ways of thinking or behaving, BUT, I’m willing to bet, if you gave it just a little bit of thought,...

I think a lot of us choose a Lenten sacrifice hoping that giving up that thing for six weeks will turn into a permanent character change.

And sometimes it does! But that honestly only happens if you’re not white knuckling through Lent, waiting for Easter so you can have that thing you gave up again.

You know what I mean. Counting down the days, hemming and hawing about whether you should wait until Easter ...